Can the Republicans steal the alternative fuel issue?

I was driving down from Chicago to my parent's place in Southern Illinois the other day. 100 miles outside of Chicago, I was surrounded by corn. 150 miles out, corn. 200 miles out, yup, corn. All the way down to Effingham, all I saw was corn! Corn corn corn!

And, as I am sure all of you know, Ethanol fuel is starting to become one of the top issues in political campaigns.

In fact, here in Illinois, I heard three candidates use the ethanol issue in their commercials. They all talked about how we need to turn to ethanol and stop depending on foreign oil.

I totally agree with these commercials.

Yet, all three of these commercials were run by Republican candidates (Kirk, Biggert, Whitfield in KY). I never heard one run by a Democratic candidate.

This is an issue that the Democrats can get behind, yet, they aren't really talking about it. The 'Ethanol Issue' could really help the Democrats in two ways, one in regards to policy, and the other in regards to politics.

The policy argument:

I have heard people say that ethanol doesn't burn as clean as most boast. Ok, that is fine with me. It sucks, but I can deal with it.

I also heard people say that ethanol is only $.20 cheaper than the current fuel at places that offer the E85. That is true as well. Why is that true though? Because there isn't a high demand for the E85, because there aren't that many cars that run on it. As more cars have the opportunity to run on this fuel, hopefull, the price of E85 will reduce.

So with those two factors in place, there is really not a lot of difference between ethanol and our current fuel. Right? WRONG!

Unlike our fuel that we currently use, this fuel will be produced mostly in the United States. 2/5ths of the worlds corn comes from the US. Therefore, 2/5ths of the ethanol fuel can come from the US as well. We would no longer be an importer, but an exporter. THIS MEANS AMERICAN JOBS!

Also, if ethanol becomes the fuel of choice, we will no longer spend any time or money in the Middle East. Let them solve their own problems. They will find out that their oil is useless and that they will need to come to us now.

The political argument:

This one is a pretty easy one.

Farmers have been Republicans. Farmers grow corn. Farmers want a candidate that can help them sell corn. Democrats strongly push ethanol. Farmers start voting Democrat. Democrats start winning in Nebraska, Kansas and other rural states. Simple!

Yet it is the Republicans running the adds for ethanol.

Democrats need to quit thinking that everyone that supports alternative fuel is a Democratic voter. If we just 'assume' this, we will lose the issue.

So Democrats, be smart. This issue will help us in many ways! Use this issue!!!!